Smoke signaling device



July l2, 1949. J. w. VAN KARNER SMOKE SIGNLING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed NOV. 14. 1944 Q ww @N MN JOSEPH w. VAN KARNER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. W. VAN KARNER SMOKE SIGNALING DEVICE OOOOOOO OOOO OO OOOOO OOOOOOOOOO COOO @d July 12, 1949.

Filed NOV. 14. 1944 JOSEPH w VAN KARNER Patented July 12, 1949 UNITED STT 5 Claims.

This invention relates to a smoke signaling device.

In my copending application, Serial No. 513,798, filed December 10, 1943, which became Patent Number 2,423,859 on July 15, 1947, I have disclosed and claimed a device for producing smoke to be used as a distress signal particularly by those lost at sea. The device of that application is adapted to be tossed into the sea promptly after being ignited and to emit a column of smoke while oating on the Water. The device of that application has been found to be very effective in actual use and to fulll its intended purpose. However, it is relatively large and expensive.

The object of the present invention is to provide a somewhat smaller, more compact and less expensive device than that disclosed in my aforesaid application, which, if desired, may be held in ones hand while the smoke is being emitted therefrom. Thus, in addition to being suitable for carrying in aeroplanes, rubber dinghies, life rafts, life boats and other small vessels, the present smoke signalling device is adapted to be carried by those on exploring expeditions, hikes and the like so that if they become lost they may signal their location.

Whereas, in the device of my said prior application a substantial gas space in the top of the container, above the charge of smoke-producing material, was desirable, due, in part to the large charge of smoke-producing material in the lower portion of the container, and in part to provide a space for the ignition means, the present device carrying a much smaller charge of such material and having space otherwise provided for the ignition means need have substantially less gas space above the charge of smoke-producing material. Hence, the container can be filled to within a short distance of the top. Space for the ignition means is provided in the form of a recess formed in the charge of smoke-producing material and extending downwardly from the top thereof, preferably in the central portion. A simpler and less expensive form of ignition means also is provided.

As the present signalling device is adapted to be held in ones hand while in use, it is provided with holding means in the form of a pair of wire handles pivoted at opposite sides of the container, at the bottom thereof. The handles are of such construction that when the device is not in use they may be folded against the sides of the container with portions thereof extending over the top of the container and frictionally retained in such position. When the device is to be used the handles are swung to positions below the container where they bracingly engage one another to give firmness.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the device in use,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View,

Fig. 3 is a top plan View,

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan View,

Fig. 5 is a side elevation,

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view on line 6 6 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 7 is a partial sectional view showing a modied form of closure for the container.

Referring now to the drawings, the present smoke signalling device comprises a container l preferably of metal and generally rectangular in shape. The side walls of the container are crimpsealed to the top 2 and to the bottom 3 so that outwardly extending anges are formed. The ilanges 4 at the bottom are utilized for a purpose which will appear later.

'I'he side Walls and bottom of the container are lined with layers of some relatively non-inflammable, heat-insulating material 5, such as card board, chip board, or the like, which protects the relatively thin metal walls of the container from the heat of the burning charge within.

The container is lled to within a short distance of the top with a charge G of smoke-producing material, which for the purpose of this invention may be of any desired composition, but which preferably is one which includes a source of carbon, an oxidizing agent and a substance to impart a desired color to the smoke which is produced, such as the composition of my pending application, Serial No. 514,654, filed December 17, 1943. The charge of smoke-producing material is formed in the container with a longitudinallyextending recess 1 which performs the dual function of providing space for ignition means to be described, and an expansion space i or gases which are formed when the charge 6 is ignited. It also provides a space into which any oily or tarry substance formed on the burning top surface of the charge may drain so that it will not interfere with the free burning of the material.

The upper surface of the charge 6 is covered with a sheet 8 of nitrocellulose or other readily inflammable material which assists in igniting the charge when the ignition means is set into operation. A perforated metal cover 9 overlies the inflammable sheet and is held in place by upturned flanges Il which are of such width as .V to extend to the top 2 of the container so that in this figure, the outer end of the neck l2' is threaded to receive a correspondingly threaded closure cap 36. The cap 36 carries a sealing disc 15 like the one shown in Fig. 2 and the free ends of the cotter pin 23 are secured in appropriate manner to the inner side of the cap 36, as in the form previously described.

The invention has been described in connection with .a preferred form of the invention. However, it will be understood that various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. A smoke signaling device comprising a container, a charge of smoke-producing material in the container, said charge of smoke-producing material having a recess therein extending from a surface thereof, a tubular member within said recess, said tubular member having a coating of friction-ignitable material on the inside of a portion thereof, a friction primer coil in contact with said friction-ignitable material, means for moving said friction primer coil while it is in contact with said 4friction-ignitable material to ignite the latter, a sheet of readily inflammable material over said surface of the charge of smokeproducing material, a perforated metal sheet holding said sheet of readily inflammable material adjacent said surface of smoke-producing material, and fuse means adapted to be ignited by the friction-ignitable material and having portions extending from said tubulaimember and lying in contact with said surface of the smokeproducing material and between it and the sheet of iniiammable material.

2. A smoke signaling device comprising a container having a neck with an opening extending therefrom, a closure removably secured to the neck and closing the opening therein, a charge of smoke-producing material within the container, said charge of smoke-producing material having a recess therein extending from the surface thereof opposite the neck, a sheet of readily inammable material over said surface of the smoke-producing material, a perforated cover plate xed relative to the neck and maintaining said sheet of readily inflammable material adjacent said surface of the charge of smoke-producing material, a tubular member within said recess, said tubular member having a portion of the inside thereof coated with friction-ignitable material, a friction primer member, means so connecting the friction primer member with the closure that when the closure is removed from the neck and quickly pulled the friction primer member will be caused to move relative to and in contact with the friction-ignitable material and ignite the same, and fuse means extending from said tubular member and lying in contact with said surface of the charge of smoke-producing material and between it and the readily inflammable sheet.

3. A smoke signaling device comprising a container having a neck with an opening extending therefrom, a closure removably secured to the neck and closing the opening therein, a charge of smoke-producing material within the container, said charge of smoke-producing material having a recess therein extending from the surface thereof opposite the neck, a sheet of readily inammable material over said surface of the smoke-producing material, a perforated cover plate fixed relative to the neck and maintaining said sheet of readily inammable material adjacent said surface of the charge of smoke-producing material, a member within said recess, said member having a portion thereof coated with friction-ignitable material, a friction primer, means so connecting the friction primer with the closure that when the closure is removed from the neck and quickly pulled the friction primer will move relative to and in contact with the friction-ignitable material and ignite the same, fuse means positioned adjacent the member having the coating of friction-ignitable material, a portion of said fuse means being in contact with said surface of the charge of smoke-producing material and between it and the readily infiammable sheet, and means in said neck for restricting the free passage of smoke from the container.

4. A smoke signaling device comprising a container having a neck with an opening extending therefrom, a closure removably secured to the neck and closing the opening therein, a charge of smoke-producing material within the container, said charge of smoke-producing material having a recess therein extending from the surface thereof opposite the neck, a sheet of readily inammable material over said surface of the smoke-produc-ing material, a perforated cover plate fixed relative to the neck and maintaining said sheet of readily inflammable material adjacent said surface of the charge of smoke-producing material, a tubular member within said recess, said tubular member having a portion of the inside thereof coated with friction-ignitable material, a friction primer, means connecting the friction primer with the closure that when the closure is removed from the neck and quickly pulled the friction primer will be caused to move relative to and in contact with the friction-ignitable material and ignite the same, fuse means extending from said tubular means and lying in contact with said surface of the charge of smokeproducing material and between it and the readily inflammable sheet, and a disc extending across the neck having an opening therein affording a restricted passage for the passage of smoke from the container.

5. A smoke signaling device comprising a container having a neck with an opening extending therefrom, a closure removably secured to the neck and closing the opening therein, a charge of smoke-producing material within the container, said charge of smoke-producing material having a recess therein extending from the surface thereof opposite the neck, a sheet of readily inflammable material over said surface of the smoke-producing material, a perforated cover plate fixed relative to the neck and maintaining said sheet of readily inflammable material adjacent said surface of the charge of smoke-producing material, a tubular member within said recess, said tubular member having a portion of the inside thereof coated with friction-ignitable material, primer means including a coil in contact with said friction-ignitable material, means so connecting the primer means with the closure that when the closure is removed from the neck and quickly -pulled the primer coil will be caused to move relative and in contact with the friction ignitable material and ignite the same, fuse means extending from said tubular member and lying in Contact with said surface of the charge of smoke-producing material and between it and the readily inflammable sheet, the neck having an outwardly extending groove therein, and a disc fixed in said groove and having an opening thereinv afodinea restricted; paesaee: for; srxwkeJrpm thecontainer...

JQSEBH. W6. VAN KARNEB.

The.` following.- ref,er,e r,1,ce,sareofK reord. in. the fue, of, this? patent:

Numben Ni6hb1s.l f Mar.,24, 1.9.3,6

Number Number.'-

Name Dante,- Debobul21 r r. Aug: 18, 193,6 Goodrnm Oct. 23,1336 Lewy ,.4-.,- Septz-28 19,357 Anderson June '7, 1938 Moore et al Nov. 2519511 Holmesl De.c. 29, 1,942 Le-Comte Sept. 7, 1943 King;A Feb.. 1 19,4,4

EORElGrN PATENTS Country Dantel Sweden Dec. 10, 1929 France Mayv 2.41, 1922 France, Mar. '7, 1938 

